20070927

Soulive | Rhapsody Celebrity MixtapeI wanted to share this interview with you, I sat down with Soulive in the Rhapsody studios to celebrate their release of No Place Like Soul. This was hands down the best, most captivating, most dynamic interview that I have ever done. Since forming in 1999, the trio, now a quartet with singer Toussaint, has developed a reputation as one of the most sought after soul-funk units on the scene. Listen to the band members sing some of their selections and talk about their musical history, it's a great listen. These fellas eat, drink, sleep, breathe and LIVE their music. Checkout the recommendations from out the mouths of Eric, Neal, Alan and Toussaint. Click + listen to the words and the music. - Ted K

20070919

Two Gallants | Two Gallants[Two Gallants album is out next Tues, but Rhapsody has it NOW :-)]When a band puts out a self-titled LP three albums into their career, is that a statement that this is the career-defining record? The one you want people to listen to first? Every one of Two Gallants albums has multiple songs that I could listen to over and over again from "Drive My Car" and "Train That Stole My Man" to "Steady Rollin" to "Age of Assassins", so I was wondering could that authentic 150 year-old poetroubadour sound be duplicated yet again?So far, I've been listening to the album for three weeks and I've had four different favorite songs, I'll link 'em all below. Tyson's distinctive drum fills are as creative as ever, and all over the album, mixing well with the lyrical gems. Such as on "The Deader,": "The girl I love is oh so far away, I wonder can she hear me as I go through my day." The longing for the lost girl is still there, and the biting sting of Adam's tongue is still there, they're the perfect mix of adoration and scorn. The raw lust is still there, diving right in to the 'steel trap of your thighs' in "Despite What You've Been Told." So is the loss is still there, check out "My Baby's Gone." And I love this caustic one liner from "Reflections of the Marionette": "I don't want to see you fall, I wanna see you fail." Not only will Two Gallants not fail, they'll bring our fair city of SF with them as they climb to the top of the rock and roll pile on. This is one of the best records of 2007, listen now. - TK

20070911

The Society of Rockets | Our Paths RelatedI definitely played the Society of Rockets them for you last year, yamember? Man, I could not stop listening to "Out In The Evening" from their first album, Where the Grass Grows Black, all year, it was Best of '06! Well, they are back with another psychedelically bluesy, greasy, Stones-y rock record called Our Paths Related. They describe themselves as utilizing dirt burst guitar, harmonies, rattletraps, sub-stone rumble, sunnnnn organ, theremin, and hallucelluloids, among other things. These are local SF cats who ooze into the record with "Come Ahead Then," a chugging Pink Floyd-esque intro before slamming it into another gear, "Teenage Gears" - just "diggin in the dirt, leavin this world of hurt." It's a white R&B chill down during "Mountain Magic." The horns pop in and out of harmonic dissonance during interludes like "Loose Change". But the best song on the record might just be the burning bluesrock riff meeting the Beach Boys harmonies in "California's Burning." Solid record, Mustard Man. - TK

TK'S All-Timer Albums

(album *must* have 5 or more
great songs to be considered)

My Morning JacketIt Still MovesMy Morning Jackettake the high lonesome howl of American music and run, not to the hills, but into outer space. Echoing with reverb, the group makes a heavy racket that sounds like Neil Young's finest days broadcast through a megaphone. Songs like "Golden" and "Mahgeetah" exemplify this group's cosmic folk intentions.

Pinback | Summer in AbaddonBest enjoyed in the 54 minutes before sunrise, Summer in Abbadon has equal parts soft breath and raucous screaming, layered guitars and vocals that somehow equal something larger and gorgeous. This is a magical record, one of the best of 2004, and I believe Pinback's best effort to date. "AFK" will make you think twice, it's elusive and thoughtful. What a great record.

Ambulance LTD | LPIt's a flawless album, LP has the mark of a great album - no matter my mood, I can pop it in and listen to it straight through, start to finish. LP was my number one record of 2004. "Stay Where You Are" and give it a spin, also "Stay Tuned" for we hope there is more to come from Ambulance LTD.

Troubled HubblePenturbiaYou're only making this list if your album is stellar from start to finish. The 2003 release of Penturbia somehow eluded me until two years later, but I'll never forget it again. I love my canoe, and you too. It's one big world and one small me. When will I come to terms that the only constant thing in life is change? Every song, so good. Hear it.

The SlipFrom The GeckoSee where genre-defying innovators The Slip started it all. This is the very sophisticated debut album created by three teenagers from Providence, R.I. Gecko features classic instrumentals "Munf," "Yellow Medicine," "Cumulus," and "Spice Groove," as well as lyrical favorites "Alsoa" and "The Weight of Solomon."

Ben Folds FiveBen Folds FiveThe first Ben Folds Five album is a masterpiece. This is a top ten record of all time for me. BF5 features the classics "Underground," "Best Imitation of Myself," "My Philosophy" and "Alice Childress" - honestly, every song has it's own merits, I never get sick of this piano pop record.

PavementTerror TwilightThe final Pavement album is in my mind, their best. Before yoiu S&E purists bash me, go back and listen to the record. TT is a masterpiece, the songwriting is poetic and disturbing, but you'll never know until you dig deep. This is a lesson in how relationships end, some are pleasant and others are painful. If you are not grabbed by the pop beauty of "Speak, See Remember" or "Major Leagues" then dig deeper and read into "Bilie" or "Folk Jam" - just don't 'waste your precious breath explaining that you are worthwhile.'

Big Head Todd & the MonstersMidnight RadioThe second BHTM album was recorded on a two track in basements in the midwest and the raw, underproduced sound has helped it stand the test of time. Even after fifteen years of years of regular listens, this record continues to shine brightly like "city burning like a dream" or like the light from a tower in the distance, just "broadcasting it's resistance through the rain and through the night. Listen, and you will believe that "yes indeed, there is a paradise...and a band is playing there."